Friday, July 17, 2009

Further to the announcement made on 21 December 2007 where the Bank Negara Malaysia has introduced the new 4th Series of RM50 in conjunction with the celebration of 50th Anniversary of Independence, BNM has reintroduced the new design of RM50 banknote by omitting the logo of the country's golden jubilee celebrations but has enhanced security features of the banknote. This RM50 banknote is the first denomination of the Fourth Series of Malaysian Banknote which will be replacing the existing series in stages.

This RM50 banknote is the first issuance of Fourth Series back in 21/12/2007. The newly issuance of RM50 in 15/7/2009 has removed the logo of the country's golden jubilee celebrations located at the upper right corner of the reverse note.

This series of RM50 banknote retains the predominant colour of green-blue. The main theme of the design is the National Mission where the first thrust is "to move the economy up the value chain" which reflects Malaysia's economic transformation to the higher value-added activities in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors of the economy.

The Front features the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad, on the right and the national flower hibiscus is in the centre on the front of this new banknote. Design patterns from songket weaving, which are in the background and edges of the banknote, are featured to reflect the traditional Malaysian textile handicraft and embroidery.

The Back features Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj at the historic declaration of Malaya's independence in 1957. It also features the Oil Palm as one of the main contributing sectors in agriculture.

Bank Negara Malaysia has introduced its RM50 of Fourth Series of Malaysia Banknote on 15 July 2009. The newly introduced of the RM50 has incorporated several modern and innovative security featues to deter counterfeiting. It also retains some of the existing security features for public verification. Among these enhanced security features are:-

The Colour Shifting Security Thread

1) The Colour Shifting Security Thread which replaces the existing security thread and is embedded in the paper. The thread appears on the reverse side of the note as coloured intermittent lines. When held against light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text of BNM RM50 can be read. When the note is tilted, the colour of the thread changes from red to green and vice versa. Under ultra-violet light, the repeated text of BNM RM50 will fluoresce yellow and the thread is seen as a continuous fluorescent yellow line when the banknote is viewed from the obverse.

Two-Cloured Fluorescent Elements

2) The Two-Coloured Fluorescent Elements is an additional invisible printed feature on the reverse of the note. Under ultra-violet light, a complex design two-colour numeral 50 will fluoresce.

The watermark portrait of Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

3) The Watermark Portrait can be recognised by tints that are lighter or darker than the surrounding paper. This watermark portrait which has a three-dimensional effect appears without sharp outlines. At the base of the watermark, the numeral 50 is clearly visible.

Perfect See-through Register

4) Perfect See-Through Register features the songket design on the obverse and reverse of the banknote when it is held against the light.

5) Invisible Fluorescent Elements of the background on the obverse and reverse of the banknote which fluoresces in different colours under ultra-violet light.

6) Micro-Letterings of "BNM RM50" which can be viewed under a magnifying glass.

Holographic Stripe

7) Holographic Stripe features the numeral 50 and hibiscus flower

8) Multicolor Latent Image where the numeral 50 is visible when the banknote is tilted slightly and changes colour when it is rotated.

9) Anti-Scanner feature in which certain design cannot be captured by scanning machines.

Friday, July 3, 2009

The Bank Negara Malaysia issued three types of commemorative coins on 2 July 2009 in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Parliament of Malaysia. These commemorative coins were launched by YB Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Abdul Hamid Pawanteh, the President of the Senate (Dewan Negara), at the Parliament building, Kuala Lumpur.

RM100 commemorative coin issued in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Parliament of Malaysia.

The obverse of these coins depict the Parliament building with the years "1959-2009" inscribed below the building. On the circumference of the coin, the crescent moon is imprinted with the words "Ulang Tahun Ke-50 Parlimen Malaysia". The crescent moon symbolizes Islam, the country's official religion. On the upper right side of the coin is a 14-pointed star which represents 14 states of Malaysia, including the Federal Territories.

The reverse of these coins feature the Malaysian crest and the Maces of the House of Representatives and Senate Chamber of the Parliament. A revered regalia, the Mace symbolizes the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Parliament. The words "BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA" and the denomination of the coin appear on the upper and lower circumference of the coin respectively.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Paper Currency of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (1849 - 1970) was one of the earliest guide book that give a comprehensive collection of banknotes of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei currency. This guide book was published by Musium Negara or National Museum, Malaysia. It was written by William Shaw and Mohd. Kassim Hj. Ali.

With a total f 124 pages, it covers the banknotes from the pre-independence paper currency that include Straits Settlements, Malaya, British Borneo, Japanese Occupational Notes etc. It also provides information on post Independence currency of 1st Series of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei currency.

This guide book is available at Department of Museums Malaysia. For those who interested to purchase this guide book, please visit the official website of Department of Museums Malaysia.

Welcome To My Blog

Welcome to my blog. This blog provides and updates you on information that relates to Malaysian currency and other Southeast Asian currency. There are many ordinary collectors around the world that just like you and me. However, there aren't many blogs that share the story and history of banknote or coin. I hope to share with you a little information of Malaysia and Southeast Asian country's currency.

Collecting banknote has been my hobby since many years ago. I enjoy viewing the unique design and color of each banknote or coin. One of my excitements is to get know of the MALAYSIA and other Asian countries' history through collecting banknotes /paper money and coins.

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